I'm buying a pack for snowboarding in the sidecountry...maybe a little hiking. I need something that holds my shovel, probe and other gear easily.

I'm looking at the Dakine packs and can't decide between the Pro II and the Heli Pro DLX. They seem similar, but it seems like two things the Pro II has is a dedicated pocket for avy gear and access from the back of the pack. Both seem useful.

Also, I was looking at a DLX 16L at a local store and the tag said it was for someone 5'7'' or shorter. Obviously the 20L is bigger, so I assume I'd need that since I'm 6'4'', or are they just suggesting that you get the smaller pack if you are 5'7'' or shorter...and someone bigger can just adjust the straps.

I have a Heli Pro from this year and I love it. I put my water bladder in it and all my personal stuff for hiking the back country. Everything is adjustable on it and it is super versatile. You can put all your avalanche gear in it and there are even loops for clipping stuff to (using a d-ring).

You will be happy with either choice, but the heli-pro has more pockets.

Besides interior volume, the sizing can effect how the pack rests against your back and the positioning of the loadbearing straps. Go with what they recommend.

that's the thing, I don't see any sizing information online other than 16L vs. 20L...it's not like they sell a S/M and a M/L for each volume. I only noticed the 5'7'' comment on the tag for the 16L DLX. I never noticed on other Dakine packs so I guess I'll have to go back to a store and hope to find something in stock so I can check the sizing.

I can't imagine all 16L packs are for guys shorter than 5'7''. That's a pretty small dude to make a whole line of packs for.

that's the thing, I don't see any sizing information online other than 16L vs. 20L...it's not like they sell a S/M and a M/L for each volume. I only noticed the 5'7'' comment on the tag for the 16L DLX. I never noticed on other Dakine packs so I guess I'll have to go back to a store and hope to find something in stock so I can check the sizing.

I can't imagine all 16L packs are for guys shorter than 5'7''. That's a pretty small dude to make a whole line of packs for.

OP - what did you decide on? I'm contemplating the same - Heli Pro DLX or Pro II. I've gone to about 10 different stores and none of them have either pack, so it's been hard to tell which is the right fit.